Sliver container for wire-covering machines



Sept. 7,1926, 1,599,211

W.- E. COOK SLIVER CONTAINER FOR WIRE COVERING MACHINES Filed Nov. 27, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 7 1926.

1,599,211 W. E. COOK SLIVIR CONTAINER FOR WIRE COVERING MACHINES Filed Nov. 27,' 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Patented Sept. 7, 1926.

UNITED WILLIAM E. COOK, or s'r, enonen, new YORK, N. Y.

SLIVER CONTAINER FOR W'IRE-COVERING IMACHINES.

Application filed November 2'7, 1925. Serial No. 71,530.

My invention relates to sliver containers for wire-covering machines, and more particularly to a container adapted to stand upon the rotatable horizontal platform em- 5 bodied in those wire covering machines which are used for producing the smaller sizes of sliver covered wires.

In the production of sliver covered wires, the construction of older types of machines is such that the conductor wire with adhesive applied thereto passes vertically through the axis of rotation of a platform, which platformcarries two or more cans having spirally wound therein a continuous strip of loosely mattedcotton sliver, the side edges of which are folded across the center portion and each other, to form a strip approximately one to one and a quarter inches in Width and about three times the thickness of the ordinary sliver as it leaves the carding machine. 7

In coiling the sliver in the cans at the delivery end of the carding machine, it is led in cycloidal loops about the edge of the can, the loops extending close to the center, and with material possessing as little weight as cotton sliver, there is a tendency of the sliver in running from the can while a machine is operating, to slightlyraise the convolutionsbelow it, centrifugal force acting on such material to roll up the uppermost convolutions of the sliver and cause the snarling or balling of the strip to an extent to cause a bunch or ball of the sliver to run from the can, resulting in the separat1on or breakage of the sliver either as it leavesthe can or as it is applied to the Wire. To overcome this condition, it has been found necessary to operate the wire covering machine using the sliver at a speed of one hundred and twenty-five revolutions per minute orless.

I have heretofore constructed machinesin which the can is supported'upon'the platform upon an incline, the angle of inclination being suflicient to prevent centrifugal force acting to snarl or ball the sliver in the manner above described at speeds in excess of those at which the machine was ordinarily operated and also machines in which the cans were supported with their axes extending at right angles to the axis of the wire, which permitted the machines tofbe run at still higher speed without so snarling or balling the sliver. V

lVh-ile-with inclined caps, I was enabl d to secure a materially greater speed than with upright cans, there was nevertheless a l mitation to the speed at Which the platform could be rotated, and hence of the output of the machine; Y

With cans supported with their axes upon ahorizontal plane, I was enabled to get still higher speeds, but to be enabled to use cans of the desired capacity for a prolonged run of the machine, it was necessary to have the rotating platform from three to four times the diameter of the older and'light-er chines so that machines of this type are at the present time used only for the production of wires of the larger sizes having heavy insulation.

lVith the above conditions in mind, the object of my present invention is to-provid-e a container for the cotton sliver in which centrifugal force could be utilized to the best advantage in preventing the snarling or balling of the sliver while ensuring the free run of the sliver from the container to its point of application to upon the wire.

The construction ofthe container is such that the loading thereof with the sliver may be conveniently effected through a wide side opening in the container,while the container is not in position upon the covering machine The construction of the container is such that after being thus loaded, the opening through which the sliver is passed to'within the container may be partially closed in a manner to develop a pressure upon the sliver contained therein, sufiicient to hold it in p0- sition in the container until during the op-' eration of the machine it is Withdrawn therefrom; g p

The construction is also suchthat at all times the operator of the machine may ob serve conditions throughout every portion of the container, and thus permit the timely stoppage of the machine, the removalfof the emptied or partially emptied container and the mounting oi' a filled container in its place, and thus avoid inconveniences resulting from the complete exhaustion of the sliver in any container. c j I In containers of the old can type whether these cans stood upright or at an'incline toward the wire, during the run of the sliver, its movement Was at right angles to the planeot the convolutionsof the coiled sliver. In containers embodying the invention, how ever, the run of the sliver is parallel with. this plane, thus minimizing likelihoodo'f the bnnching of the sliver since the portion thereof passing'to the wire will be drawn from the face of the coil presented toward the wire, and centrifugal action will cause a clean separation of the sliver being drawn from the contain-er from that remaining therein.

The invention consistsprimarily in a container for sliver covering machines, embodying therein a back plate, a relatively fixed bottom, movable side plates adapted 'to develop-pressure upon-the face of sliver coil-ed within the container when said side qfilates are in the closed position, and means wh eby said side plates may beheld in the closed position while the container is uponth-e inachine, or may be held in the open position to facilitate the chargingof sliver to within the container; and in such other novel features of construction and combination of parts, as are'hereinafter set forth and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

Referring to thezdrawings,

l is a front view of a sliver covering machine showing containers embodying the invention, positioned upon the'rotating plat form thereof;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the container as positioned upon the machine;

Fig. 3 is a-plan view'ofthe container as positioned preparatory to charging orloading with the cotton sliver ,and

Fig. 4- is a'detail -view of a portion of one of the latch mechanisms- Likenuinerals ref-er to likeparts throughout the several views.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, it is illustrated in connection with an old and well known type of sliver wire covering machine which includes therein a rotatable platform adapted to receive one or more sliver containers syinmetrically-grouped about the axis-of rotation of said platform, such containers being indicated at A and B respectively. Below'the platform 10 is an adhesive container 11 through which the conductor wire 12 passes before passing throughan axial opening in the platform 1O, to a compacting die 13 and a takeoff wheel let. The platform 10 and the takeoff wheel 14 are driven at the proper relative speeds from a power shaft 15, the former by a pulley ano belt mechanism 16 and the latter by gearing'll'. The shaft carries an ordinary driving and idler pul ley mechanism 18.

The arrangement above described is old and well known in the sliver covering chine art, the sole variation from the corre- "spond-ing mechanisms in the old'machine, in a machine in which containers emboct ing "the invention are used, being changes in the "po the speed of the various mechanisms, ex-

transmissionnechanism 1 to increase the machine.

The present invention, howev r, is directedmore particularly to the construction of the containers A and B, and one of such will now be described in detail. Each container comprises'a back plate 19 which in practice is approximately three feet in height, and a bottom QOhaving upturned side edgcsQl and 22, which is formed integrally -"\Vltll,E-IO'&S to be iixed relativelyto, the back plate 1'9; 'Heretofore I have made this bottom 20 approximately one foot square.

At the sides of the back plate It) and formed at an acute angle thereto by asharp bend so as to have a normal tendency to automatically close upon thecontents of the containeiya fter it has been'charged or loadcd with coiled sliver andpreparatory to mounting it upon the covering machine, are what, forconvenience of expression, will be called side plates a3 and 24 Preferably said side plates are formed integrally with the back 19 and the bottom-20 soa-s to secure reliability in their action and avoid crevices or cracks which might interfere with the free run of the sliver.

, Each of the side'plates 2324 is substantially thirty-six inches'high by twelve inches deep, and when closed in part by the fiex ibility inherent to the material of whichthey and the back are formed, and inpart by means-of certain latches which will be here inafter referred to, leave a vertical opening of from live to six inches throughout the entire height of the container. The upper portion of this opening forms an outletbelow the top of the container for the sliver running'to the wire, and the remainder of this opening pern'iits the operator of a group of such machines to observe at any time, conditions within all'parts of the container.

The side plates 23 and 24 each-have the free vertical edge thereof rolled asshown to avoid the presence of sharp edges which might in terfere with the charging or loading-of the sliver to within, or the'run-of the sliverffrom adjacent thetop of, the container.

In conjunction with these side plates. I provide means whereby they may beheld in the closed position while the container is Y upon the machine, or in the open position,

to facilitate the charging of the sliver to within the containers. W'ith containers of the height described, and such is reguired-to give thedesired capacity'to'the containers,"l have found it necessary to provide such ineans-atthree different points. This means in the form of the invention-illustratec and in containers actually used, comprises three metal straps 25, one of which is positioned approximately midway of the height of the container, and the others of which are positioned approximately eight or ten inches from the top, and from the bottom, of the container respectively. Each latch bar 25 is hinged to one side plate, as 23, by means ofan ordinary hinge strap and hinge-joint 26, and toward the other end thereof is provided with a hooked projection 27 adapted to interlock with the beaded or rolled edge of the other side plate. Each strap 25 also is provided with a second projection 28 adjacent the end thereof so as to engage the inner face of the other s de plate 24 and hold both plates extended, or in the open position, when charging the device. The rolled or beaded edges of the plates 23 and 24 are indicated at 29 and 30 respectively.

Each side plate 23 and 24, also carries a suitable movable stop device, as a bolt 31, toward the bottom thereof and in engageable relation respectively with the co-operating upturned edge 21, or 22 upon the botto1n 2( these stops or bolts being used for convenience in openingthe container preparatory to charging or loading same with sliver.

Each side plate 23 and 24 is also provided with a handle 32 to facilitate themounting of the container upon the platform 10 and the handling of the container when charging or loading same or preparing it for charging or loading. V

The uppermost latch strap 25 has its upper edge rounded, as at 83, (as shown more particularly in Fig. 4) to avoid the presence of a sharp edge at this point with which the sliver in running from the con tainer to the wire might contact, under which circumstances the fluff on the surface of the sliver might be accumulated in a manner to either materially weaken the sliver or cause the formation of a spot of excessive thickness with 'a resultant imperfection in the body ofithe insulation. In'

fact the formation of balls of fluff at the surface of the sliver is one cause of frequent breakage of the sliver, necessitating the shutting down of the machine, and the absence of such is highly desirable, not only because of the variation in the insulation resulting therefrom, but because of the manufacturing difficulties growing .out of the resultant breakage of the sliver, which is so loosely matted as to possess. little inherent tensile strength.

A can embodying the invention is charged, and its use secures the results, as follows hen the sliver in a container is ap proacliing or has'reached complete exhaustio'nythe machine isstopped and the. container A or B is removed therefrom, and laid upon its back 19. The latch straps 25 are then moved to disengage the projection 27"thereon from the beaded or rolled edge 30 of the side plate 24, the plate being pressed inwardly to facilitate this. lVhen the side plates are relieved from the re straint of all of the latch straps 25, first one and then the othersi'de plate is moved outwardly with relation to the other" and back into approximately their closed position.

hen the side plate 23 and 24' are thusheld extendechthe operator charges or loads the container with coiled cotton-sliver which i s arranged in three or four piles, each pile being arranged with the coils of thesliver therein substantially edge to edge With the coils of the sliver in the adjacent pile.

In making the sliver, it is coiled in cans in the usual way, and the sliver from these cans is allowed toslide therefrom to upon a troughed member, so that the operator mayreadily handle a considerable thickness of the coiled sliver. If the first pile of sliver to be placed towards the bottom 20 of the container is takenfrom the top of the can, 1t will be positioned with its. upper side, that which was towards the'top ofthe can, towards the back 19. The adjacent piles willbe similarlypositioned, so that what was originally the bottom of the coils in the can will be presented upwardly in, and adjacent, the top of the container. If the pile of coiled sliver first loaded or charged in the container is taken from that which was toward the bottom of the can, and is placed toward the bottom 20 of the container, this order will be reversed. In either instance, however, a section of the continuous stripof sliver connecting adjacent piles 1n the container will lead from the bottom of the pile toward the top of the container, to the top of the next pile, which condition will be repeated until the pile nearest the bottom 20 of the container is reached.

If the container when removed from the platform 10 still contains a short length of sliver, this maybe spliced to the free end of the sliver toward the top of the container. If a single can does not contain suflicient sliver to completely fill .the container, the

contents of anothercan may be added there-' toand a splice made to form a continuous sli er. within the container.

W'hen the container iscompletely charged or loaded with the sliver, and the operator mayv pack the sliver down fairly tight-when transferring the piles of sliver to the con} tainer the various latch members 25 are raised, thus permitting both 'side plates23 iao I Lee" a d :24 to spring inwardly, and apply a l teom-pacting pressure to the sliver within the container. This inward movement of the side plates 23 and 2 1 is due to their tendency to assume this position after being extended, by reason of the ab ruptbend in the metal between them and the back plate 19. Of course before said side plates are permitted to move inwardly throughout their entire length, it is necessary to disengage the stop devices or bolts 31 from the lfianges 21 and 22 upon the bottom 20.

The operator then re-engages the projections 27 upon the latch straps 25 with the rolled or beaded edge 30 using the strength necessary to further close the side plates 23 and 24 to permit this engagement and cause the said side plates 23 and 24 to have a tendency to separate or open to an extent to ensure the desired latching action between'the projections 27 and the beaded or rolled edge 30.

This closing of the side plates 23 and 24: will hold the several piles of sliver sufficiently tight to prevent their displacement, or their material settling, in the container. The operator then uses the handle 32 to position'the container upon the platform 10 in engagement with the usual retaining bracket for preventing relative movement of the platform and the container either circum'ferentially or radially of the former.

The free or upper end of the sliver strip is then drawn through the vertical space or opening between the edges of the side plates 23 .and 24 and over the upper latch,

strap 25 and positioned upon the conductor wire 12. With the turning of the platform 10 at the'high speed at which the machine operates, which as stated is ordinarily around 300 R. P. M., centrifugal force will cause the'coiled sliver in each pile to have an outward movement radially of the platform' 10, within 'the container, or movement toward the bottom, 19 thereof, and will also tend to cause a ballooning action of t'hesliver as it is running from the container to the wire and in a direction the reverse of thedirection of rotation of the platform 10. Since the sliver passes from the corn tainer through the upper part of the opening between the rolled or bead-ed edges of the side plates 23 and 24, this condition will have little orno tendency to cause the rui.- ning of the sliver from the container at a speed greater than thatat which it is drawn therefrom as a result of the spiral wrapping f the same about the wire 12.

With the uppermost pile of sliver after the first fewsucce-edin-g layersof convolutions have been drawn from the container, there will belittle or no tendency of the sliver to engage the uppermost strap 25. WVi'th the lower piles ofsliver in the container, however, its tencency to en is: uppermost strap ncreases. By rounding the top of this strap, however, likelihood'of the accumulation of a ball of find as a result of the runoff the sliver is practically eliminated.

When one pile of sliver in the container is completely exhausted, the last loop toward the back plate 19 will lead to one of the top loops upon the next lower pile of sliver, and so on until the lowermost pile of sliver, or that adjacent the bottom .20 is exhausted, or almost exhausted. In this manner the run ot the sliver from each pile begins adjacent the opening between the side plates 23 and 24 and ends adjacent the back plate 19, thus precluding possibility of the drawing of a number of these loops simultaneously from the container in a tangle or snarl which might occur were the run started from ad- ]acent the back plate 19 of each pile.

Containers embodying the invention are light of weight so that they may bereadily handled in mounting them upon, or removing them from, the platform 10. The space between the side plates 23-and 24 permits an operator to quickly inspect the containers upon a machine while in operation, since even at high speeds the quantity of sliver remaining in a container may be readily judged by a skilled operator.

I The effect of centrifugal force upon .a plurality of piles of coiled sliver positioned edgewise with relation to each other with the aZ-IlS of each pile at right angles to the axis of rotation of the container, and the free running of the sliver resulting from this condition, permits the operation of-the platform at the high speed stated, and since the output capacity of the machine is dependent upon the speed of the platform, it is apparent that this condition materially increases the output capacity of the machine.

As heretofore stated, containers embodying the invention are designed for .se, and

used, in machines for applyingsliver covering in spiral form to fairly light conductor wires. In covering the heavier wires having much heavier insulation, larger and heavier machines are used. By lighter wires, 1 mean the smaller sized wires of the general class of wires in which the insulation is composed of cotton sliver saturated age sald or impregnated with aspaltum or other comparentethat such dimensions and speeds may be varied without departing from the invention., a a

.Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to have protected by Letters Patent, is a 1. A container for sliver covering machines, embodying therein a back plate, a relatively fixed bottom, movable side plates adapted to develop pressure upon the face of sliver. coiled within the container when said side plates are in the closed position, and means whereby said side plates may be held in the closed position while the container is upon the machine, or may be held in the open position to facilitate the charging of sliver to within the container.

2. A container for sliver covering ma chines embodying therein a back plate, side plates formed integrally with,,and of substantially the same height as, said back plate,

said side plates being bent at an acute angle toward each otherwhereby they will have a normal tendency to close upon material in the container, a bottom fixed relatively to said back plate, and means whereby said side plates may be held in the closed position while the container is upon the machine, or may be held in the open position to facilitate the charging of sliver to within the container. '7 V a V 3. A container for sliver covering machines, embodying therein a back plate, a relatively fixed bottom, movable side plates adapted to develop pressure upon the face of sliver coiled within the container when said side plates are in the closed position, latch straps movably mounted upon one of said side plates, and projections thereon adapted to be selectively engaged to the other side plate, whereby said side plates may beheld in the closed position while the container is upon the machine, or may be held in the open position to facilitate the charging of sliver to within the container.

4. A container for sliver covering machines, embodying therein a back plate, a relatively fixed bottom, movable side plates adapted to develop pressure upon the face of sliver coiled within the container when said side plates are in the closed position, latch straps movably mounted upon one of said side plates, and projections thereon adapted to be selectively engaged to the other side plate, whereby said side plates may be held in the closed position while the container is upon the machine, or may be held in the open position to facilitate the charging of sliver to within the container, said side plates having dimensions which will cause an opening to be presented for substantially the entire height of the container between the vertical edges thereof when in the closed position.

5. A container for sliver covering machines, embodyingtherein a back plate, a

relatively fixed bottom, movable side plates adapted to develop pressure upon the face of sliver coiled within the container when 1 said-side plates are in the closed position,

latch straps mov'ably mounted upon one of said side plates, and projections thereon adapted 'to be selectively engaged to the other side plate, whereby said side plates be held in the closed position while the container is upon 'the machine, or may be held invthe open positionto facilitate the charging of sliver to 'within the container, said side 'plates'having dimensions which will cause an opening to be'presentedfor substantially the entire height of the container between the vertical edges thereof when in, the 'closed' position, one of said latch straps being positioned below the top of the container andhaving its upper edge rounded, whereby injury to the sliver when passing from the container is prevented.

6.'A container for sliver. covering ma-. chines, embodying therein a back plate, a relatively fixed bottom having upturned side edges, movable side plates positioned between said upturned side edges and adapted to develop pressure upon the face.

of sliver coiled within the container when said side plates are in the closed position, a stop device carried by each side plate toward the bottom thereof and in engageable relation respectively with the said upturned edges when the container is in the opened position, latch straps movably mounted upon one of said side plates, and projections thereon adapted to be selectively engaged to the other side plate, whereby said side plates may be held in the closed position while the container is upon the machine, or may be held in the open position to facilitate the charging of sliver to within the container, said side plates having dimen-' sions which will cause an opening to be presented for substantially the entire height of the container between the vertical edges thereof when in the closed position.

7. A container for sliver covering machines, embodying therein a back plate, a

relatively fixedbottom having upturned side edges, movable side plates positioned between said upturned side edges and adapted to develop pressure upon the face of sliver coiled within thercontainer when said side plates are in the closed position, a stop de vice carried by each side plate toward the bottom thereof and in engageable relation respectivelywith the said upturned edges when the container is in the opened position, latch strapsmovably mounted upon" one of said side plates, and projections thereon adapted to be selectively engaged to the other side plate, whereby said side plates may be held in the closed position while the container is' upon the machine, or may be held in the open p'ositioni to facilitate" the charging ofsliver' to within thecontainer, said side plates having dimensions which will cause an opening: to. be presented for substantially the entireheight; of the container between the vertical edges thereof when in-the closed position, one of said latch straps being positioned'belowthe top of the container andhaving its'up'per. edge rounded, whereby injury to? the sliver when passing from the container is prevented; v

' '8. it container for silver covering ma' chines; ueinbodying'thereln aback plate; a

relatively fixed botto in having upturned side 5 edges movable side plates posltioned bewhen the container is in the opened position,- latch= straps hinged upon one ofsaid side plates, and projections thereon adapted to be selectively engaged to the other side plate; whereby said side plates may be held} in the closed position whilethe container is upon the machine, or may be held in the open position to facilitate the charging of sliver to within the container, said side' plates having dimensions which will cause an opening to be presentedfor substantially the entire height of the container between the vertical-edges thereof when in the closed position.- one of said lat'chst-raps being posit ioned below thetop of the container and having its upper edge rounded, whereby injury to the sliver when passing frornthe container is prevented. I a

In witness whereof I have hereunto afiiz'zed my signature, this 16th: day of November", 1925 WILLIAM; eooK. 

